There are plenty of excellent ski resorts in North America, but what makes some of them better than others are the towns they’re located in and the nearby attractions. These are some of the best ski resort towns on the North American continent.
1. Stowe, Vermont, USA
Stowe is popular with visitors for more than its fine skiing. You’ll find a Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream factory there where you can sample the products and take tours. The streets feature some wonderful architecture and you’ll be able to enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at the Trapp Family Lodge. In addition, you can visit the Stowe Mountain Resort for scenic sleigh rides and to enjoy the spa and indoor/outdoor swimming pool.
2. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada
Whistler, which lies just north of Vancouver, is North America’s biggest ski resort. The Peak 2 Peak gondola is the world’s longest and highest unsupported ski lift and the views from it are amazing. You’ll also be able to enjoy zip-lining, snowmobiling and luging, which can be tried on the famous Olympic track. The town centre is traffic-free and it’s a bustling place once night time falls.
3. Vail, Colorado, USA
At a size of 5,200 acres, Vail is home to the biggest ski resort in the USA. However, the town is also famous for its shopping options as it’s filled with hundreds of unique and specialty stores. You’ll be able to find unique, imported goods from Scandinavia here as well as numerous spas. In addition, visitors will enjoy the town’s fine dining, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities.
4. Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
This fantastic ski town offers a 12,000 foot summit as well as a 1,725 foot vertical drop. It’s also well known for its historic attractions, excellent restaurants and booming arts scene. Santa Fe is one of America’s oldest towns and has plenty of stories to share. You’ll be able to learn a lot about its history through the numerous museums which showcase the Spanish, Western, and Native American cultures and influences. There are also over 200 different art galleries to explore.
5. Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Lake Tahoe is filled with dance clubs, outlet shopping centers and casinos, but it also offers some of the best wilderness spots in the country. Basically, there’s something for everybody here, and of course the skiing is excellent. The Winter Olympics were held in Squaw Valley in 1960 and it’s still a winter hotspot. You’ll be able to enjoy hot-air ballooning, snowmobiling, and dog sledding as well as the country’s biggest alpine lake.
6. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
The key to this popular spot is its exceptional location. It sits next to Yellowstone National Parkwhere you can enjoy the geysers and close to Bridger-Teton National Forest where you can warm up in the hot springs. It’s also a stone’s throw from the National Elk Refuge. It’s a rustic town that offers fine living, classy boutiques, and some fine dining options.
7. Telluride, Colorado, USA
There’s plenty to do in the winter time in Telluride. Skiing’s a given, but you can also partake in fly fishing, ice climbing, hang gliding, and dog sledding. The shopping is quite unique as large chain storeshave been banned. This means local shops are able to flourish and there are many excellent ones to browse through.
8. Aspen, Colorado, USA
Aspen offers a lot of activities as well as skiing. These include wall climbing, water slides, plays, dance performances, and concerts. One of the most popular performance centers is the Wheeler Opera House, which was originally built in 1889. The city is also home to numerous spas, fine restaurants, shops, and galleries. You can also try your hand at snowmobiling and dog sledding.
